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3232161092296The League of Women Voters of Estes Park: Advocacy at workhttps://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/14/the-league-of-women-voters-of-estes-park-advocacy-at-work/
https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/14/the-league-of-women-voters-of-estes-park-advocacy-at-work/#respondSat, 14 Sep 2019 21:00:39 +0000https://www.eptrail.com/?p=87716In recent weeks you’ve learned a little about the history of the League of Women Voters, some of our activities and a summary of some of the issues that our members support. In the next few columns we hope to delve further into those issues and why we support them.

It should be no surprise that the national, state and local Leagues support sustainability. What does that mean exactly? According to environmentalist Paul Hawken, “Sustainability is about stabilizing the currently disruptive relationship between earth’s two most complex systems—human culture and the living world.”

The League of Women Voters of Estes Park’s (LWVEP) position on this is to encourage the use of alternative solutions in energy, waste removal systems and packaging in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and redirect waste from the landfill.

Let’s talk about packaging – specifically, those pesky single-use plastic bags that show up in our rivers, streams, trees, yards, and yes, wildlife antlers. This summer, the LWVEP’s Environmental Committee, which recently became part of the League of Women Voters and Community Recycling Committee, launched a campaign to raise awareness about the problems that these little white bags cause our environment.

According to the Natural Environment website, 60 to 100 million barrels of oil are required to manufacture a year’s worth of plastic bags worldwide, and it takes approximately 400 years — at least — for a bag to biodegrade. We believe if we are serious about reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, eliminating the use of single-use plastic bags is a great place to start.

Although approximately 20% of marine litter is a result of fishing apparatus that accidentally winds up in the ocean, as well as industrial accidents or dumping, up to 80% of ocean plastic pollution enters the ocean from land. Tiny pieces of plastic end up in the water, consumed by marine life – and then by us. The plastic garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean is twice the size of Texas and three times the size of France, and plastic in our rivers end up in the ocean.

What can you do? Put a stash of reusable bags in your car in a convenient place so that you don’t forget them when you go shopping. Ask your local grocery stores to put signs in the parking lots to remind customers to bring their reusable bags. Call or email your local state senator and representative and ask them to repeal the 1993 law that was tucked into Section 7 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, 25-17-104:

Local government preemption. No unit of local government shall require or prohibit the use or sale of specific types of plastic materials or products or restrict or mandate containers, packaging, or labeling for any consumer products.

It is vital that we all do our part to ensure that future generations do not have to live with the tragic consequences that never-ending versions of non-biodegradable plastics pose to our waters and landfills. The legacy we leave our children and grandchildren should be a sustainable environment and not a toxic one.

The League of Women Voters of Estes Park is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on and advocating for vital issues of concern to members and the public.

More than 100 artists will be on hand to share their passion and products. Art for this juried show must be made by the artist or a very small number of associates under the direct supervision of the artist. Mediums represented will be ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, metal, wood, leather, photography, drawing, scratchboard, gourd art, painting, fiber, sculpture, glass, wearable art for both adults and children, and handmade bath products. The classical guitar duo, Skanson and Hansen will be on the north end of the park where stone seating is available to provide a place to rest and enjoy their relaxing sound.

Come and meet the more than 20 artists new to the Festival and welcome back those who have been with us before. The variety of art work available is impressive. There really is something for everyone!

A silent auction will be held each day from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., with new items each day kindly donated by the artists. Proceeds from the auction will benefit youth programming and scholarships. The Fine Arts Guild offers two scholarships for graduating high school seniors. One for a student pursuing study of the arts and another for a student who will study music in any form from production to performance. Additionally, the Bria Brown scholarship provides assistance to students participating in the two week summer Youth Theater program.

The children’s corner will provide the opportunity for children of all ages to make a sock puppet from 12 – 3 p.m. each day.

It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping.

]]>https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/inside-arts-44th-annual-fine-arts-and-crafts-festival-this-weekend/feed/0877732019-09-13T17:00:49+00:002019-09-12T09:09:04+00:00“Table Settings 101” this Sunday at the Museumhttps://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/table-settings-101-this-sunday-at-the-museum/
https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/table-settings-101-this-sunday-at-the-museum/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2019 19:00:38 +0000https://www.eptrail.com/?p=87700The Estes Park Museum Friends will be hosting their 4th Annual Colorado TableSettings competition in November. In preparation, they are hosting a one-hour “Table Settings 101” program this Sunday, September 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Estes Park Museum. This program is free and open to the public and will feature a variety of displays of creative table settings, with ideas on how best to utilize and arrange the unique family tableware that many of us save for special occasions.

Anyone who is considering an entry this November will have an opportunity to gain a sense of the style and set-up that might lead to a winning arrangement. Snacks and refreshments will be served, and Museum Friends board members will discuss the specific details of the competition and the registration process, with many examples from previous years’ entries.

Full information and entry forms will available on September 15, as well as online later this season at estesparkmuseumfriends.org. No registration is required to attend this Sunday’s free program.

The Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation, Inc., is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Museum through fundraising, publications, volunteerism, outreach, and special projects and events. Membership information is available by visiting www.estesparkmuseumfriends.org

]]>https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/table-settings-101-this-sunday-at-the-museum/feed/0877002019-09-13T13:00:38+00:002019-09-11T14:02:27+00:00World class flamenco dance and music coming to Estes Parkhttps://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/world-class-flamenco-dance-and-music-coming-to-estes-park/
https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/world-class-flamenco-dance-and-music-coming-to-estes-park/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2019 18:00:29 +0000https://www.eptrail.com/?p=87707The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies is excited to bring world renowned musicians and dance to Estes Park on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in Performance Park. ¡Ojaleo! is a performance group based in the front range with roots in music and dance around the world. Singer Marisa Perez is a native of Seville, Spain and grew up in a family of singers. She really embraced Flamenco and her roots, however, when she moved to Colorado in 2002. Having studied and performed with many masters of the genre, Marisa has captivated audiences around Colorado and New Mexico, as well as her native Spain, for almost two decades.

Guitarist Steve Mullins’s musical accomplishments are too long to list, with his original compositions featured in such diverse settings as TV commercials, documentaries, NPR, silent movies, and even dancing horse shows at the National Western Stock Show. Steve is a professor of World Music at CU Boulder and the University of Wyoming. A self-proclaimed, “instrument nerd,” Steve loves the art of instruments, stating, “I love the subtleties of their sound, their scale lengths…and the adjectives and metaphors used to describe this elusive thing called ‘tone.’” Rarely is the connection that music creates so apparent, as when listening to and watching Steve Mullins perform with others. Having played all across Europe and the US, Steve brings his vast talent to Estes Park from well-known groups such as the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, the Boulder Philharmonic, the Longmont Symphony, Denver Brass, Flamenco Denver, Fiesta Colorado, and Barbelfish Balkan Band, among others.

Sandra Wong knew she loved the violin at an early age, but her world was turned upside down when she discovered fiddling in her early 20s. Since then, Sandra has focused on “connecting with other people and cultures through music as a way to build community and express our common humanity.” Sandra has toured nationally and internationally exploring Irish, Old-time, Bluegrass, Swedish folk, and Flamenco genres.

Bringing the music together, is the dance. The dancer in Flamenco is not only a visual aspect of the music; it is also the percussion. No one does this with more ease and grace than Salli Gutierrez. Salli has been dedicated to the art of Flamenco for many years. She continues to study with the masters in Spain, and is a well-respected teacher and performer, herself. Salli communicates her love of movement through Flamenco with incredible elegance, putting her own personality into her dance, and captivating audiences all over the US, Spain, and Mexico. She also leads cultural trips to the Flamenco heart of Spain, sharing her love of Spanish culture, food, art, and language.

Admission is free! Donations are accepted for our scholarship fund for two graduating seniors who plan to major in the arts. Lawn chairs/blankets are encouraged.

]]>https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/world-class-flamenco-dance-and-music-coming-to-estes-park/feed/0877072019-09-13T12:00:29+00:002019-09-11T14:18:54+00:00PHOTOS: Kiss plays Denver one last time during the band’s “final tour ever”https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/kiss-denver-pepsi-center-photos-2/
https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/kiss-denver-pepsi-center-photos-2/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2019 17:37:10 +0000https://www.eptrail.com?p=87892&preview_id=87892On Thursday night, rock band Kiss played the Pepsi Center in Denver as a stop on their “End of the Road” tour, which the band has billed as its “final tour ever.” Check out photos.

]]>https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/kiss-denver-pepsi-center-photos-2/feed/0878922019-09-13T11:37:10+00:002019-09-13T11:37:54+00:00New yoga classes coming to the Aspirehttps://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/new-yoga-classes-coming-to-the-aspire/
https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/new-yoga-classes-coming-to-the-aspire/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2019 17:35:58 +0000https://www.eptrail.com/?p=87833This Saturday, a new yoga class taught by Quinn Brett will launch on the rooftop patio of the Aspire building on the Historic Stanley Hotel campus.

Jill Schladweiler, director of activities with the Stanley Hotel, said one of the key missions with the new rooftop patio is having a wellness space there. The way the furniture is organized leaves a great portion of the roof open to wellness activities, like yoga and tai chi, she said.

Courtesy photo

Quinn Brett will lead the class.

Brett is not only a well-known favorite in town, but is also a highly regarded yoga instructor. She has recently put out an adaptive yoga series for people with spinal injuries or disabilities.

If you would like to sign up for a class, please go to https://thestanleyhotel.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=2402079.

“We are most excited to be able to take wellness to a whole new level by having a space like this that is available for the community and for our guests,” Schladweiler said.

Amie Klemmer and Beth Bowlen Wallace, Pat Bowlen’s two eldest daughters, filed a petition seeking to invalidate the 2009 Patrick D. Bowlen Trust on the grounds their father did not have the capacity to sign his estate-planning documents.

“There is substantial and overwhelming evidence that Mr. Bowlen lacked the required capacity in 2009,” said Giovanni Ruscitti, co-counsel for Klemmer and Wallace, in a statement. “As a result, Ms. Klemmer and Ms. Wallace have filed a petition asking the court to decide that issue, the related issue of whether the 2009 trust, which is the document under which the trustees have derived their power and authority, is valid and whether Mr. Bowlen was subjected to undue influence.”

The latest development in a legal battle that started last October could impact the NFL arbitration proceeding between Wallace, Klemmer and the trustees, and drag the legal fight well into the future.

In his lawsuit filed against the trustees (Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis, team counsel Rich Slivka and local attorney Mary Kelly) last October, Bill Bowlen, one of Pat’s two brothers, claimed Pat began to “display signs” of Alzheimer’s “in or around 2006,” and was diagnosed that year at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Pat Bowlen died at age 75 on June 13.

Attempts to reach Dan Reilly, the trustees’ attorney, for comment on the petition, were not immediately returned.

Some had the impression that the ownership dispute had concluded last month when Bill Bowlen’s lawsuit was dismissed. Filed in October, 2018, Bill wanted the trustees removed from power because he believed they had failed to act in his brother’s best interest in their many roles leading Pat’s assets and related businesses, including the Broncos.

But Judge John Scipione issued a temporary injunction Aug. 31 – the day after he dismissed Bill Bowlen’s case – saying in essence that the issue of Pat Bowlen’s competency was off the menu that the trustees wanted the NFL to rule on.

“The trustees have been attempting to have these issues decided by the NFL arbitrator, which we believe was improper and an attempt to usurp important powers and authority from the Colorado court,” said Scott Robinson, co-counsel for Klemmer and Wallace, in a statement. “We are thankful that the court agreed with us.

“Because of these issues, Mr. Bowlen began to cede control of the team in late 2008 and early 2009 and his serious health issues were well-known not only within the family and his friends, but also within the Denver and NFL communities.”

On Feb. 20, Wallace and Klemmer’s original petition was centered on the trust’s validity and its no-contest clause, which is believed to state that any person who challenges the trust or Pat Bowlen’s will or power of attorney would be disinherited. If Wallace and Klemmer were declared to be in violation and disinherited, their right as beneficiaries would skip them and go to their children.

Wallace and Klemmer asked the court to rule the no-contest clause doesn’t apply to NFL arbitration so they would not be found in violation of the clause by participating. They also requested confirmation that the court assumes jurisdiction over all questions about their father’s capacity and the trust’s validity.

The August 30 ruling stated that NFL arbitration proceedings, led by former league executive Carmen Policy, would begin in November.

Scipione, though, wrote that arbitration “proceed at your risk,” which if the league listens could put the brakes on arbitration until there is clarity on the validity (or invalidity) of the trust. Due to a gag order on Scipione’s ruling to take over the capacity part of the filings, all parties remain quiet on when arbitration will start.

Scipione does not have the jurisdiction to order the NFL to halt its arbitration proceeding. According to a source, a provision of NFL arbitration is that if one side requests it (the trustees in this case), it is mandatory for the other side (Wallace/Klemmer).

The trustees are asking Policy, appointed by Commissioner Roger Goodell, to essentially confirm that they are following Pat Bowlen’s directives in determining if one of his children is qualified to become the next controlling owner and that they have the power to put the team up for sale if no child is deemed capable and qualified.

In June 2018, Wallace, 49, went public with her desire to succeed her father and Brittany Bowlen, 29, followed last October. Last week, Ellis said Bowlen will re-join the organization “some time in November,” and she is generally viewed as the trustees’ preferred choice to run the team.

]]>https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/broncos-ownership-dispute-beth-bowlen-wallace-amie-klemmer/feed/0878792019-09-13T11:33:55+00:002019-09-13T11:34:21+00:00Editorial for Sept. 13, 2019: Vote yes for your transportation futurehttps://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/editorial-for-sept-13-2019-vote-yes-for-your-transportation-future/
https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/editorial-for-sept-13-2019-vote-yes-for-your-transportation-future/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2019 17:31:43 +0000https://www.eptrail.com/?p=87853If you have been around Larimer County over the last decade, you probably have seen how much it has grown over the years. The populations in all Larimer communities have exploded, along with the rest of Colorado, and those extra citizens bring with them vehicles and more congestion on our roadways.

In the next 25 years, people driving on the six main roads in Larimer County will see an increase of nearly 700% in travel delay hours if critical infrastructure improvements are not made to the roadways, according to the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization. In a county-wide survey in 2018, almost 70% of respondents ranked improving transportation infrastructure as a top priority. There is $542 million in transportation infrastructure needs in the county.

In November, voters will have a choice to vote in favor of a half-penny increase in sales and use tax in the county to fund transportation and facility needs over the next two decades. If passed it is expected to generate $32 million in the first year.

Here in Estes Park, we all know the problems with congestion, transportation and infrastructure needs, and the Trail-Gazette urges you to vote in favor of this increase. Our county needs these infrastructure improvements as our populations grow. Our Town Board agrees, endorsing a resolution in support of this tax at a recent meeting. Our county commissioners see the importance of this too.

“Communities in Larimer County enjoy a high quality of life, but growing traffic congestion is threatening our future. Intersections and major streets in cities are failing, connections between communities are overly congested, and travel on I-25 takes longer and longer,” County Commissioner Tom Donnelly said. “We need new investments in our transportation network to solve these problems. The solution must be regionally focused and include expanding capacity on highways, streets and roads, better options for biking and walking and more public transportation services. This proposal is an investment in our county’s future.”

Commissioner Steve Johnson echoed his colleague, stating that Larimer County has taken the leadership in developing regional solutions in other areas, like solid waste and mental health.

“Now we’re stepping up to work with our partners to address traffic congestion and access to essential County services. A diverse group of transportation experts and community leaders have been working on the transportation proposal for more than eighteen months. Their work identified and prioritized projects that will most dramatically improve our ability to travel across town and between communities,” Johnson said. “Regional problems can best be resolved using regional solutions. Working together, we can build the best community for our children and grandchildren.”

This tax would not only improve transportation infrastructure, but fulfil other needs as well. 65% of the funds collected will go toward transportation, but the other 35% would go to much needed facility improvements, like the veterans service building and a consolidated human services building.

Serving the public is Larimer County’s primary goal and responsibility. As our community grows and evolves, our ability to provide needed services is constrained by the physical limitations of our existing facilities. We simply do not have enough space to accommodate more clients in our alternative sentencing and community corrections programs. People who need food assistance, child support collection help, public health services or child or adult protection may be running all over town to get the help they need,” said Commissioner John Kefalas. “The County’s Veterans Services office is inadequate. This proposal will both expand capacity and improve efficiency for accessing and delivering quality services. It’s the right thing to do for our children, families, veterans and neighbors.”

Estes Park specifically would also see improvements, which includes a multimodal path along Moraine Avenue from Davis Street to Mary’s Lake Road. There is also a multimodal trail expansion for U.S. 34 connecting Mall Road to Rocky Mountain National Park, just to name a couple.

Larimer County has grown so much over these last few years that we cannot sustain this population on our roadways. Vote yes on the half-penny tax increase for our future.

]]>https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/editorial-for-sept-13-2019-vote-yes-for-your-transportation-future/feed/0878532019-09-13T11:31:43+00:002019-09-13T11:31:43+00:00Mountain coaster appeals still pendinghttps://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/mountain-coaster-appeals-still-pending/
https://www.eptrail.com/2019/09/13/mountain-coaster-appeals-still-pending/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2019 17:30:09 +0000https://www.eptrail.com/?p=87850The fate of former Trustee Cody Walker’s 1,960-foot downhill mountain coaster is no longer in the hands of the town, according to an official familiar with the matter.

“The mountain coaster is essentially in the hands of the County and the Colorado Court of Appeals with a few qualifiers,” said Community Development Director Randy Hunt. “There are a few remaining minor matters that would come to the town for further consideration, such as a right-of-way permit for a Dry Gulch Road driveway entrance.”

Hunt said that town staff could prospectively see an additional review or action required of them should the Court of Appeals take action on the appeals from two previous district court rulings.

Both of these cases are still pending, Larimer County Jeannine Haag told the Trail-Gazette on Tuesday. She said the jurisdiction of those cases has since moved to the Colorado Supreme court.

The first of those rulings came in April when Judge Juan Villseñor determined there was “competent evidence” that supported the Larimer County Commissioners’ interpretation of the mountain coaster’s use classification as a park and recreation facility. Villseñor said in his dissent that the commissioners did not abuse discretion when making that determination. That decision was appealed by neighbors of Walker’s property where the coaster is being proposed.

The second ruling came in May when District Court Judge Greg Lammons ruled that the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment properly interpreted the Estes Valley Development Code by approving a staff review rather than a review by the Estes Valley Planning Commission. But Lammons said the board should have heard an appeal on the coaster’s classification as a park and recreation facility and ordered the board to require a location and extent review of the coaster by the planning commission.

These orders were appealed by the board in June.

Haag said that the next briefs in both of these cases are due on Oct. 11.

Because this project is almost entirely in unincorporated Larimer County, with only the small driveway segment from Dry Gulch Road located in town limits, the project’s construction plan review and building permit processing rests in the hands of the county.

Van Horn Engineering, the company contracted for the construction of the coaster, did not return requests for comment on this story. It’s unclear where the project is at in its design and when they anticipate requesting building permits.

Hunt said on Monday that town staff plays a small role in reviewing county-issued building permits for zoning compliance, which means that he might see building permits for the coaster end up in his staff’s hands at some point.

But he said that to his knowledge, no coaster building permits have been applied for yet. He also said that plans for water and electric, which also could fall in the jurisdiction of the town’s utilities department for review, have not advanced to the review and approval stage either.

It’s unclear whether the future court proceedings can stop the issuance of a construction plan or building permit for the coaster.

Walker could not be reached for comment at the time this article was published.

Mountain coaster important dates:

April 18, 2018: Cody Walker files an application for mountain coaster development plan with the Community Development Department

August 6, 2018: Community Development staff approves the development plan.

Sept. 5, 2018: A notice of appeal was filed against the Larimer County Board of Commissioners, the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment and the Estes Valley Planning Commission.

Oct. 2, 2018: The Larimer County Commissioners approve the Community Development staff’s land use classification of the mountain coaster as a park and recreation facility in a 2-1 vote.

Oct. 16, 2018: The Estes Valley Board of Adjustment in a 3-1 vote upheld the Community Development Department’s use classification, the fact that a location and extent review was not required, and the decision for a review by staff rather than the Planning Commission.

Jan 3, 2019: Larimer County Commissioners hear appeal of the Estes Valley Planning Commission’s decision to uphold the staff development plan approved in August 2018, and voted 2-1 to uphold the Planning Commission’s approval of the plan.

April 10, 2019: A Larimer County District court ruled in favor of the Larimer County Board of commissioners and Yakutat Land Corporation, reaffirming the commissioner’s decision to uphold the mountain coaster approval.

May 1, 2019: A Larimer County district judge reversed two of decisions made by the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment regarding the mountain coaster’s use classification and a location and extent review. The court upheld the Board’s decision that staff was the appropriate approval authority for the plan.

June 6, 2019: The Estes Valley Board of Adjustment appeals two orders from a district judge that reversed the board’s decision not to hear about the coaster’s use classification and require a location and extent review.

Today
Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 40. West wind 3 to 8 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 74. West wind around 6 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night
Clear, with a low around 41. Light west wind.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.